UN Envoy Meets Sierra Leone Youth

The United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, has engaged young people in Sierra Leone in a dynamic roundtable discussion to shape solutions to the country’s most pressing challenges.

The high-level youth dialogue, convened by UNFPA Sierra Leone in partnership with UNICEF Sierra Leone, brought together youth representatives from diverse backgrounds to share their perspectives on climate change, education, protection, and meaningful participation in governance.

During the session, participants spoke candidly about the barriers they face and proposed practical, youth-driven solutions aimed at strengthening resilience, improving access to quality education, and ensuring safer environments for young people across the country.

Addressing the gathering, Paullier emphasized the critical role of youth in national and global development, noting that inclusive decision-making processes must prioritize the voices of young people.

“Young people are not just beneficiaries of policy decisions; they are key partners in driving sustainable change,” he noted.

The roundtable highlighted growing calls for increased investment in youth-led initiatives and stronger platforms for engagement, as participants urged policymakers and development partners to move beyond consultation to meaningful inclusion.

The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by UN agencies to amplify youth voices and support Sierra Leone’s development agenda through inclusive and participatory approaches.

Observers say the dialogue signals a renewed push to place young people at the heart of policy formulation, reinforcing the message that the future of Sierra Leone depends on empowering its youth today.